kevincrumbs

Those both seem like very solid choices. I don't think you can go wrong with either. ^

Dieuwer

Is there an area in Portland to stay that has tons of restaurants in close proximity? I am not necessarily looking for upscale places, but definitely not fastfood either. Let's say I am the Cheesecake factory, Outback Steakhouse type. Not the Ruth Chris or McDonald's type.

MissJ

Most of Portland has many, many dining options nearby. Anywhere downtown or on the inner east side will give you the best options. What areas are you looking at and we can give you an idea of what's around. Portland is a place where a good meal is usually just a few steps away.

Dieuwer

Looking at staying downtown. For instance at the Hilton.

MissJ

I can see it from my window.

With about 5-8 blocks, Portland is very easily walkable, you have a lot of well-loved places like Imperial, Little Bird, Clyde Common, Urban Farmer (it's more on the Ruth's Chris level though), Gruner, Kenny & Zukes, Lardo, you can stuff yourself on donuts at Blue Star. Superbite just opened and I've heard some talk since it's the same chef's as Ox.

I eat sub-$10 lunches in the area all the time and my main staples are Kure, Veggie Grill, Laughing Planet, a couple of small sushi places. I walk over to Pine Street Market (it's a little further, but meets your requirements very well. Good food right in the middle) or the tons of food carts. Food carts are the best deal in town and some are very, very good.

nineworldseries

Inner city Portland is very, very thin on chain restaurants. They likely have by far the fewest chains of any major American city. For my money, that's an incredibly good thing. If you're into those kind of restaurants, I'd recommend staying out at Cascade Station, where there is a Buffalo Wild Wings, Red Robin, etc. etc. around.

Dieuwer

I think you misunderstand.
The point I was trying to make is that I am a middle-of-the-pack diner: I don't like the exclusive, fancy places. And I don't like the cheapo, fast food style places.

MissJ

I think you may find some things you like on my list.

We aren't too fancy around here.

Any specific food types? I'm making myself very hungry for dinner now...

djp98374

In downtown Portland There area ton of restaurants from a few streets north of burnside south to the university and between the river and 12th.

There is light rail/subway and there are a couple of street car routes that will take you around downtown and over to Llloyd Center area (shopping mall).

I am referring to middle price restaurants.

A few places I regularly have gone to are:

East Indian Grill (11th)
Jake's (10th)
Henery's 12th st Tavern (12th and Burnside)--a block from Powell's

nineworldseries

Portland is the best food truck city in the world, and I'm a dirty hipster, so naturally this works out. I'm probably an outlier, but if I only had two nights in Portland for dinner, I'd go to Tidbit twice.

https://www.facebook.com/tidbitfoodfarmandgarden/

MissJ

One of the taphouses I frequent is right down the street. After a few beers, a waffle from Smaaken is the best thing on Earth. Tons of really great restaurants in that area though if you make it out there.

LostInAmerica

Looking for some local knowledge. I will get dropped off a couple of hours before my return (red-eye) flight from PDX-ATL.

From looking at the airport website it looks like either Laurelwood or Henry's would be best for a good beer and some dinner.

Any preferences or recommendations? Or another choice altogether?

Thanks for your input.

djp98374

Those two are fine. They are both inside security on opposite sides of the Henry's is on the ABC side and Laurelwood is on the DE side. each side has a TSA checkpoint with an inside security walkway between the sides.

pre security in the "mall" area is another option --Stanfords.